Future options for Royal Rhyme will be determined by the ground conditions after his spectacular comeback in Thursday's Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown.
After dominating his competitors in handicap company at Goodwood last summer, the four-year-old trained by Karl Burke went on to win a Listed event at Ayr and then finished fifth in the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot behind King Of Steel.
The Lope De Vega colt, making his first appearance since Champions Day, was a short price to beat three opponents at Group Three level and did it under Clifford Lee with the least amount of fuss.
Next month at Royal Ascot, Royal Rhyme has an entry in the Prince of Wales's Stakes, but it doesn't seem likely that he will pursue that engagement unless there is stable ground condition.
Reflecting on his comeback victory, Burke said: “It wasn’t the strongest Group Three in the world, but they’re all there to be won and he did it nicely. He improved with every run last season and I think it will be the same this year. He wasn’t fully wound up by any means. Obviously ground is key with him, but he’s a very useful horse on his day on the right ground.”
Elite Status, the Sheikh Mohammed Obaid-owned and Burke-trained winner of the Carnarvon Stakes at Newbury is one runner who is undoubtedly planning to attend the Royal meeting.
The son of Havana Grey is scheduled to receive another chance to win in the Commonwealth Cup's main meeting after finishing third in the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot last year as a strong favourite.
Burke added: “I was very, very happy with him, he’s a high-class horse and he came out of that race fine. We’re heading for the Commonwealth with him, barring accidents.”